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    Below are photos of the construction of our Design and Training Center. Now that we have electricity, we are beginning to turn our attention to the interior of the Design and Training Center.

  

    Here we erecting the solar array frame that will hold the PV panels. Each panel carries a rating of 300 watts each for a total of 3.6Kw. Four panels are wired together in series to provide 48 Vdc. The array is adjustable for seasonal tilt angles. Notice the empty rack to the right of the third array. This will be installed in the future by one of our training classes.

   

       The pictures above show us installing the 3Kw wind generator into place. The tower is an old converted ski lift tower. We have added a maintenance platform and the tower is on a telescoping mast that is winched into a position between 35 and 55ft. Keep in mind that this is well below the normal installation height of 100 to 130 feet. However, because of the site there is actually a 40 to 50 foot drop on the prevailing wind side and a deeper valley beyond that.

   

    Above you will find the heart of our Renewable Energy System that powers the Solar & Wind FX Design and Training Center here at Schaefer's Acres. The left picture shows two inverters, each one converts the 48Vdc battery power to 120Vac which is provided to the main circuit breaker panel just like that which you can find in every utility powered home. By having two inverters we are able to power 220Vac equipment without the use of a step-up transformer.
    The picture to the right shows the battery bank and storage box. You will notice the red tubing that surrounds the batteries. These are part of the Training Centers radiant floor heating system that has it's own thermostat so that we can keep the batteries at an optimal temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The box still needs to be insulated and vented to the outside.

    The above project is an installed solar tracker that is used to power a water pump that pumps water from a 13ft shore well to provide water for the Design and Training Center as well as the owners' new Energy Star, Green home being built at this time.


Send mail to chris@solarandwindfx.com with questions or comments about this web site.
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Last modified: 09/12/08